Holy…Buckets! So far, this off-season has been a Red Sox fan’s dream–Two blockbuster, game changing signings of young players (28 for Gonzales and 29 for Crawford) for fairly long (but not ridiculously so) contracts. Whoo Hoo!

The Sox have not had an offseason like this in I don’t know how long. Let’s recap: Adrian Gonzales, the deal that was on, then off, then on again, was finally struck last weekend, with his unveiling on Monday. While the specifics of the deal have not been confirmed, as the Sox wish to avoid the luxury tax for as long as possible–but it is reported to be in the vicinity of 7-years $154 million… But the remainder of his current contract? Less than $5 million for the 2011 Campaign–talk about your great deals! Then Carl Crawford, who will have his formal coming out party at Fenway Saturday morning, was signed to a 7-year, $142 million contract.

Theo weighs in: “…getting players in their primes — or in the early parts of their primes — is really important. If you’re going to sign a long-term contract, you want to make sure it at least starts at the right age and ends at a reasonable age…If it’s the right player and do you expect him to age well, it can be a more tolerable risk than signing a player who’s already into his 30s and you go into the late 30’s…”

And with these 2 signings, 8 of their 9 best players are under 30 (Kevin Youkilis is 31)–and that does not even count the young ‘uns chomping at the bit to get into (or stay, after having been there in 2010) in the bigs like Ryan Kalish and Felix Doubront…

So I guess the Adrian Beltre era is over in Boston, as Youk will return to 3rd base with Gonzales playing 1st–sorry, can’t say I am super sad to see him go–great bat, yes, but his glove was dreadful in 2010, he is a Boras boy…and he usurped Mike Lowell–‘nuf said…

And, its official: Jason Varitek has signed a 1 year, $2 million contracts, which also includes incentives…Tito weighs in on the resigning of ‘Tek: “The way Tek swings the bat right-handed, ultimately we can talk about mentoring and tutoring, we’ve still got to win games…I think it’s a real good fit. Tek’s going to play more than probably the average backup catcher.”

Now, if Theo can just shore up the bullpen, and if Josh Beckett, Daisuke, and John Lackey can have seasons worthy of their contracts, I think 2011 is going to be a Very. Good. Year…

Can I just say how I cannot WAIT until April 1st???!! Honestly, if I was a betting woman, this potential lineup for the Sox would definitely make me bet on the sport…

So, have the Skanks offered Cliff Lee the state of Montana yet? Last I heard the deal was close to, or even more than what they paid for CC Sabathia a couple of years ago (7-years $161 million) but the problem is? Cliff Lee is 32. HA HA…

I get an e-mail from Carl Crawford’s media rep this week, asking me to pass along Carl’s social media contacts. He is on Facebook and Twitter and we already know he has been tweeting his head off about signing with the Sox. Nice to know he is as excited to play for the Boston Red Sox, as we fans are to see him in the uniform…

Finally, from our friends at eTrue Sports: New Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford announced he will use a portion of his new 7-year, $142 million contract to purchase Boston’s iconic North End. “I’ve always liked Italian food,” said Crawford. For more, go here…